The ENSURE research project, which is part of the funding initiative Kopernikus Projects, investigates suitable energy network structures for the current energy transformation process in Germany. Energy network structures must compensate for both the local and temporal differences between electricity generation and consumption, which diverge further with more intensive use of renewable energy sources. In addition, the acceptability of measures, especially in the immediate vicinity of the plants, has become a decisive factor and the desire of citizens to actively participate in the energy supply has developed.

The first main goal of ENSURE is a holistic investigation of the system structures through further development of network topologies, operational management and improved components used in the electric grid. With advancing digitalization, novel approaches in the operational management of plants and networks can for instance be realized as more information on network status, feed-in and consumption situations and status of components are available. Through increased transparency, digitization also enables citizens to actively participate in the electrical energy supply by trading in energy products and services.

The second main goal is the establishment of a geographically limited demonstration of the results in the real system (energy cosmos ENSURE) to prove the feasibility of a digitized, sustainable and coupled energy system. With the energy cosmos ENSURE, technical, ecological and economic potentials and advantages of the new concepts and technologies can be presented to the population and communities. At the same time, it offers plant operators and industrial manufacturers the opportunity to test new technologies in the field, both technically and economically.

In order to achieve these project goals, the second of three planned project phases will focus on three thematic areas. These are the creation of a long-term systemic overall concept for energy system structures based on the results of phase 1, the preparation and conceptual design of the energy cosmos ENSURE and the first piloting of plants and systems as a starting point for the energy cosmos. In this context, OFFIS will participate in the development of a distributed simulation environment for the evaluation of energy system structures and will develop a standard-based, holistic test procedure for the preparation and documentation of test cases and for the creation of scenarios. In this context, the co-simulation framework mosaik will be extended and applied, the coupling of distributed real-time tests will be implemented and relevant distribution network communication and automation solutions from the first funding phase will be integrated. In the context of preparing the energy cosmos, OFFIS also participates in the development of a digital twin platform to enable a detailed virtual demonstration in addition to installed systems.